PDA

View Full Version : recommendation on route to take



toniv
06-01-2005, 11:29 PM
We have a 1958 house in Arizona. We have a 1997 TempStar 3.5 ton split 75,000 BTU unit. Estimated 10 Seer. (GNJ075M16CI). The original sq. footage was 1610 and we added on to make 1857. Once we added on we could not get any airflow in the added rooms and the rest of the house doesn't seem to be in balance and gets quite warm quickly when the system shuts off. We have had 3 technicians out and have been given 3 different recommendations. Could you give me your opinion as to which one sounds correct.

All 3 technicians recommend making some changes to the newly added ductwork, taking out the old unused evap system and adding insulation- which we will definately do.

Tech 1- said ah you need to have at least a 5 ton unit (new split system) to handle the square footage of the home.

Tech 2 (spent the most time here researching things) said that we definately need a new furnace as the one we have moves 1300cfm's and we need at least 1600cfm's and that the 3.5tons would work fine if we keep the avg temp at 78 for the 112degree average. If we want it lower (my husband likes 73 degrees) then he recommends getting a new 4 ton unit with a 2 system on it.

Tech 3- says to just do the duct work and insulation as the 3.5 ton system and furnace is fine and it SHOULD help with air flow in our add on but doesn't guarantee how long the furnace will last.

Any advice/recommendations would be helpful.

Thank you,
Toni

Jultzya
06-01-2005, 11:48 PM
Tech #1 sounds like an IDIOT!

Tech #2 is off base with the 1300 CFM... as the GNJ075M16C1 is rated for 1600 CFM as that is what the '16' means in the model number. (this is, as long as the ducting is properly designed)

Which the ducting sounds to be the largest issue from what I gather... with out actually seeing it.

Tech #3 sounds like the true person that cares about his work (and not equipment sales). You don't use heat that often so that furnace (if maintained) will last for quite some time!

Good Luck!